The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-12-29
our county. our Hom.,


When reconstruction under the laws
of the republic was completed, and
amnesty was extended to those who
had rebelled against the national gov.
ernment, the rights and privileges OF
the amnestied were of as high order be
those of the grantors, and persons sep
arated by the once stormy lines Of car
mage became peers in common citizen
ship. Whatever differences once ex-
listed, and however relations may have
now encircle a brotherhood as sacred.
honor, uphold, and forever maintain
the unity of the republic. The high.
est typo of American manhood seeks
the channels of the present and the
possibilities of The future for energetic
development, and allows the past
which IL dead to take care of itself.
except as its lessons broadly applied
may be of value.
Were it not for politics, which, tho
right in it's place but always pugna.
cious, has fomeDted strife and kept
alive amin osities that had better -ver
have existed, there would have been
no sectional strife after the bloody
brotheriy war of rebellion ceased.
Only at rare intervals have men lived
who have risen above politics and
looked beyond politicians for issues
in the administration of government.
Abraham Lincoln was one such. His
inaugural address betrayed none of the
cunning of the politician, no exulta-
tion over party success. Though flush
ed with wonderful partisan victory he
cast aside partisanshlp and appealed
TO the people, north aud south, to
avoid the strife of battle. And when
war became terrible reality Lincoln
the patriot, and Lincoln the statesman
was greater than Lincoln the politi-
clan. 60 when by the force Of arms
the moth was victo. ious, this same
president desired unity, fraternity.
peace, concord, and oblivion of the
bloody past. His thoughts were di-
rected toward honorable settlement
rather than to the establishment of
slavisb de pendencies. Had he lived
would have been COM
pleted within q half decade. The
worst reverse the south received was
when a southern sympathizer struck
the assassin's blow and silenced man
of men. the president of the whole
country. While he lived placemen
had no opportunities. When he died
= horde OF ambitious adventurers came
to the front of politics and government
and swarmed over the PROSTATE south
like the lice of Egypt. and left it not
until the. life blood of business and
wealth of the section was absorbed
Politics alone held sway, and for ten
years the fortune hunters ruled by
force in the south and by appeal to
passion in the north. When the fet.
ters of oppression were finally lifted
from southern homes that half of the
union sprang into new life and the
progress of the past dozen years has
been astonishing. There is no section
al strife there nowhere are no conten-
ions except the emulation OF who can
best succeed in developing the latent
force OF southern energy, the dormant
wealth of mine and soil. If patriotism
to anything in time of peace,
it lies in the direction of developing
,he talents of man and improving the
blessings bestowed by an All wise
Creator. The possibilities of this
country are not yet near the zenith's
glory. The pathway is flush with
hopes, bright with ambitions, and
grand for achievements. There is no
north, there is no south the dividing
inc is myth. There is one noble
and, the best the sun daily glorifies,
he dearest the moon lightens, glorious
n its past and magnificent in its press
ng future. This is our home, our !
and let US all enjoy 1t and make the
most ofit.-[Toledo Bee,